From University of Chicago Athletics

In the largest invitational of the season, three University of Chicago wrestlers earned third-place finishes at Wheaton College's Pete Willson Invitational on Saturday.

First held in 1938, Wheaton's two-day invite is the oldest and largest small-college wrestling tournament in the country. The Maroons had five wrestlers reach the podium, which allowed the squad to finish sixth out of 34 teams in attendance.

At the end of day one, a trio of UChicago wrestlers reached the semifinals of their respective weight classes. Senior Steve Bonsall picked up three-straight decisions at 157 pounds before dropping a 6-4 decision in the semis. In the consolation bracket, Bonsall scored a 15-6 major decision, then captured third place with a 6-4 victory in overtime.

Rookie Cole Fibranz went 5-1 as well at 285 pounds to capture third place. He followed the same path as Bonsall, losing a close 4-3 decision to the No. 1 seed in the semis before winning his next two. Fibranz also won in overtime 7-5 in the third-place match.

At 184 pounds, sophomore Ben Sarasin easily reached the semis with three-straight wins by scores of 12-1, 16-0 and 11-7. However, an injury forced him out of action and he placed sixth.

At 141 pounds, first-year Ryan Fleck dropped his opening match, then made it all the way through the consolation bracket to take third. The third-place match ended in Fleck's favor 3-2 over his Wheaton opponent who beat him in the first round.

Fellow first-year Griffin Seyfried also reached the podium at 133 pounds. He went 3-3 overall while finishing eighth.

Senior Grant Morrison (2-2 at 149 pounds), junior Jason Crary (2-2 at 165 pounds) and senior Matt Shoub (0-2 at 174 pounds) also saw day one action for the Maroons.